Highway 24 Near Manitou Springs Reopens After Mudslide

MANITOU SPRINGS, Colo. (AP) – Authorities are warning people who live in and around the area burned by the Waldo Canyon wildfire to watch out for possible flooding and mudslides triggered by afternoon thunderstorms.

A series of mudslides triggered by rain that started Monday temporarily shut down U.S. 24 west of Colorado Springs through Tuesday morning. A state transportation department spokesman told The Gazette the mud was as deep as 5 feet in one area.

El Paso County sheriff’s Lt. Jeff Kramer said two homes in Green Mountain Falls also suffered significant flooding damage. They are located in an area downhill from the 28 square mile area burned in June.

More rain is possible Tuesday and the National Weather Service says there’s an elevated potential for flash flooding because the ground is already so wet.